Pfizer Launches Compact Inoculator for Vaccine Manufacturers

The Embrex vaccine manual inovoject is aimed at vaccine manufacturers and research institutions.

Pfizer Animal Health Global Poultry has launched a new, compact in ovo device aimed at vaccine manufacturers and research institutes.

Embrex Vaccine Manual Inovoject(VMI) is the latest addition to the Embrex Vaccine Manufacturing Device (VMD) portfolio which already includes a range of in ovo devices used for the mass production of human influenza vaccines as well as other human and animal health egg-based vaccines. This small, semi-automated device enables inoculation to be carried out in the laboratory setting, and so is aimed at vaccine manufacturers that require an alternative to high volume production. It could also be used for research and batch testing.

“The device is designed and produced specifically with the vaccine manufacturing environment in mind - for both human and animal health vaccines,” said Product Engineer, Joe Federowicz.

“It is only 30 inches wide, and thus can fit through ordinary laboratory doors. It is also fully enclosed so as to prevent dirt build up and other potential sources of contamination.”

According to Director, Gerardo Vera, Embrex VMI is likely to be of particular interest to vaccine manufacturers in Asia and Latin America markets.

“A typical animal health facility could probably install three to five of these machines, and each one would be used for a different vaccine,” Mr Vera said.

“The full-size Embrex Inovoject has been used by human vaccine manufacturers for many years for large scale flu vaccine production. The new Embrex VMI has the same industry-leading quality, features, functionality and reliability that customers have come to expect from the Embrex brand, which has been at the forefront of in ovo technology for 20 years,” said Mr Federowicz.

“We realised the need for an inoculation device which had the same engineering quality as other Embrex VMD products, but which could be installed in a much smaller area and was suited for smaller production runs.

“It took about a year to refine the design and bring it to market because the quality had to be superlative and up to industry standards. But I am really pleased with the result. The finish has to be seen to be believed: with no visible welds and mirror finish surfaces.”

Embrex VMI is available with the sams available with the same world-class customer service and parts as offered with Pfizer Animal Health’s existing devices in the poultry business.